The Court of Appeal has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to proceed with the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), and other affected political parties pending the determination of the substantive suit before it.
The appellate court’s three-member panel issued the order in response to appeals filed against a judgment of the Federal High Court.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Monday directed INEC to deregister the ADC, AP, and three other political parties, citing their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
However, the Court of Appeal strongly criticized the lower court’s decision, describing Justice Lifu’s action as a “brazen disregard for the higher court” and an act of “judicial impertinence.”
The appellate court held that INEC must maintain the status quo until the substantive matter is fully determined.
